KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Yitro | Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh, by Rav Eli Weber Yeshayahu 6:1 - 7:6 Is God immanent or transcendental?

Yitro | Reliving Sinai, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In his farewell speech, Moshe continually refers to the day of Matan Torah as יום הקהל, and even recalls Hashem's command הקהל לי את העם - to gather all of the people. This historic experience and the obligation to always remember it and to transmit it to the next generation seems to be the impetus for the Mitzva of Hakhel - to gather everyone for a public reading of the Torah "that they will learn to fear Hashem..." (Devarim 31). But this practice, although modestly revived about 140 years ago, was not activated for hundreds of years - yet, it seems that there was a more local and regular practice which was, at least partially, formulated in order to maintain the memory of the Stand at Sinai. We explore the Eretz Yisrael tradition of completing the Torah over 3 and a half years - or twice in a seven-year span, and explore its relationship to Hakhel and, ultimately, to a weekly (at least) reexperiencing of Sinai.

Beshalach | And Devorah sang, by Rav Eli Weber Shoftim 4:4 - 5:31. Why did Yael kill Sisera?

Beshalach | Miriam's Role in the Song at the Sea, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The introductory line to the Song at the Sea (Shemot 15:1) is enigmatic on several counts. First of all, why is Moshe listed separately - and the verb ישיר is in the singular - if all of the people sang? Furthermore, how would they all know what to say/sing? We review the various Tannaitic opinions addressing these questions and Moshe's role in the paean. Furthermore, we explore the purpose and added praise which Miriam's actions brought about - if the women had already "sung" with all of Bnei Yisrael, what did they accomplish by singing again by themselves?

Bo | But fear not thou O my servant Yaakov, by Rav Eli Weber Yirmiyahu 46:13 - 46:28. Gratitude in the face of tragedy.

Va'era | And all the inhabitants of Miżrayim shall know that I am God, by Rav Eli Weber Yechezkel 28:25 - 29:21 Why do we need 10 makkot?

Vaera | The Makkot Curriculum, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom A paideia for Pharaoh. How many Makkot were there? We inevitably approach our study of Parashat Va'era with an assumption of 10 Makkot (plagues) with which Hashem smote and 'judged" the Egyptians. However, that number does not appear in the Torah's record of the events and other presentations of the Exodus story in Tanakh highlight only some of these plagues, ending up with a smaller number - and the Midrash famously expands this number by a factor of up to 50, seeing 5 sub-plagues within each one. We look back at the structure of the plagues, following Hashem's directives to Moshe regarding warning - or not warning - Pharaoh before each one and discern a clear pattern which opens up an additional perspective on the purpose of these plagues and their role as didactic, beyond the punitive. Source sheet >>

Shemot | And In that Day a Great Shofar Shall be Sounded, by Rav Eli Weber Yeshayahu 27:6-28:13. On geula and materialism.

Shemot | What were the ערי המסכנות? And Why Does It Matter? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the meaning and significance of the ערי המסכנות which בני ישראל were forced to build? The first labor forced upon the Hebrews in Egypt was a labor tax, forcing them to build ערי מסכנות. We explore the possible meanings of this unusual phrase, set it in apposition to the later back-breaking work to which they were subjected and the significance of this type of work, considering the storied history of Yaakov's progeny in Egypt. Source sheet >>

Thoughts for Asara B'Tevet 5786, by Rav Moshe Taragin Was the Translation of Torah Tragic? Was the Holocaust a Historical Shift? When the Narrative Changes. Preserving Halakha and Masorah. The Dangers of Hyper-Preservationism in Charedi Culture